Sorry it took so long to update. Between the new job and moving into a new place to live I have gotten quite a bit behind. Thanks for waiting patiently and I hope you enjoy. *I don't own Skins or Skins characters*
Chapter Twenty Seven: Parley with Bilge Rats
The stars were fading out of sight, blurring into the soft yellow and blue of the horizon, when Katherine offered to take the wheel from Captain Stonem. The wild looking brunette stepped back stretched her aching muscles before leaning against the railing to face the redhead.
"Why the sudden willingness to steer?" Effy asked. "In a hurry to see your sister?"
"You just looked so tired," Katie sighed, "and…I don't know…lately I've felt like so much has changed. My life has changed, everyone's has, it just seems like it's time for me to change along with it." She added as she glanced at the ring her lover had given her.
"Not everything I hope." The captain said with her lips set in a small pout. "I kind of like our little spats…sometimes."
The redhead laughed as she gave the brunette a teasing look. "No need to worry. I am sure you will always find a way to annoy me."
"Good." Effy smiled and gave her arms another sore stretch. "It's sexier that way."
"Go get some rest Eff." Katie sighed.
"I don't need rest." The captain lied as she slid her arms around the redhead's waist and rested her head on the girl's shoulder. "I have all I need right here."
"You're going to fall asleep on me and kill us all." She answered with a roll of her brown eyes. "I mean it, Eff, eat something and get some rest."
The brunette tightened her grip around Katherine's waist shook her head. "See, you're already changing too much, I've already turned you into a wife." The pirate whispered in her ear before placing a soft kiss on the redhead's neck.
"Then do as I say or I'll change even more and never get angry at you again." Katie sighed, fighting back the smile that was quickly overtaking her stern expression.
"You couldn't never get cross with me again, love." The wild girl gasped.
"I really will. It's so exhausting to try to stay mad at you captain." The redhead answered in her most sickeningly sweet voice. "You'll still love me even if I'm not a bitch, right?"
Captain Stonem reluctantly slid her arms free and gave her soft kiss on the cheek. "I suppose," she sighed, "but it would definitely be hard work."
Katie turned her head and gave her a soft smile. "Then go get some fucking rest bilge rat." She snapped.
"If you insist, love." The wild girl said with a smile before stealing one last kiss and heading down to their quarters.
Katherine watched the brunette until she was out of sight and then turned her eyes back to the horizon. She would never admit it, but it had been a long time since she had gotten truly angry with the wild girl, she knew her to well by now and understood her moods and quirks. The redhead had almost lost her once, and that kind of fear took a lot out of her; it was worse than the fear of drowning or the sadness of knowing that by now her family believed her dead. The brown eyed girl took a moment to wonder if she was changing too much. If the chase was over then would the pirate loose interest? Katherine shrugged the nagging thought away; in her mind that could never happen, if Captain Stonem began to ignore her then she would naturally become sullen and angry, which could bring the brunette's attention squarely back to her. The redhead held the wheel steady and felt safe in the fact that the worst was over and her life, so vastly different from the one she had imagined for herself nearly a year ago, was going to be better than she had ever dreamed.
The Lament's crew had set to work repairing the house on Emeline Isle and were making quick progress. Enough progress that the couple was able to move the contents of the Lament's captain's quarters into the upper turret room. From her new favorite spot in the world the redhead was able to see most of the small island; the fields and fences were badly neglected but she could see so much potential in them. She could easily picture a large garden and thriving livestock; enough to live here relatively unbothered and self sustained. The girl had made a habit of standing at the window every morning with her brown eyes closed as she imagined the rest of her life here with Captain Campbell – the retired Captain Campbell. Emily had repaired several of fences and now busied herself in tending the animals they had brought along with them; Naomi had cringed when the redhead began telling her all the names she had given the chickens and had to explain that they weren't pets.
"Well no one is allowed to eat Richard or Grace!" The redhead had insisted.
"Fine," Naomi had promised, "just don't name any more of them. We can't survive on apples and grapes."
"I thought we could survive on love alone." Emily teased as she batted her eyes at the blonde.
The captain chuckled and pulled the redhead into a warm embrace. "Fair enough." She said before placing a quick kiss on the girl's head. "I would just like to have a variety to snack on while we survive on love. You can name all the sheep."
"Good to know…" The girl hummed into the blonde's neck.
"You already did…" Naomi sighed.
"We'll talk about the goats tomorrow." Emily giggled as she made a mad dash for the porch.
The blonde smiled as she watched her lover scurry away; she had high hopes for this new life. It wouldn't be glamorous or exciting but that was exactly why it made her so happy. For the first time she could image a life that she wanted and her hand instinctively fidgeted with the flap of her breast pocket as she saw Emily disappear into the house. Excited calls from her men drew her attention quickly back to the shore and she scanned the water for any signs of a ship; they were still awaiting the arrival of Captain Stonem as well as Cook but no ships were anywhere in sight. Movement caught her attention and she blue eyes darted to the open yard where three of her men were trying, without much luck, to corner a chicken for tonight dinner. The blonde rolled her eyes and laughed as the men fumbled around the overgrown grass after a scrawny rooster; she almost cheered when one of the crew managed to snag the bird by the leg – until she noticed the tiny blue ribbon dangling from it's leg.
"Wait!" Naomi shouted, cursing under her breath as she began jogging up to meet them. "We can't eat Richard!"
"So what next?" Katie asked as she rolled over to face the brunette in bed.
"Sleep and then weigh anchor and round the island to meet Campbell and your sister." Effy answered as she arched her eyebrow. "Unless…" she crooned with a seductive smile.
The redhead leaned forward and gave the captain a soft kiss before leaning back against her pillow. "I mean after all that. Where to then? Off to pillage the seven seas?" She clarified.
Captain Stonem chewed her lower lip as she stared at the ceiling.
"Well?" Katherine questioned. "It's our living isn't it? So where to? India to ambush a trade ship? The far east in search of jewels?" Her voice pitched with excitement as she continued to whisper about exploits in exotic locations.
"Maybe something a little less whimsical, love." The brunette answered.
"Like what?" The redhead sighed.
"Maybe Bristol, check in with my brother," Effy shrugged in the darkness, "see what the navy knows or thinks about us. We'll keep a low profile for a while."
"Then why go back?" Katie huffed. "Why not just stay away all together? Show me somewhere new and make some money while we are at it?"
"I can't do that to Tony." The pirate sighed. "And you need more time at sea before we set off for any of the places you're talking about."
"Why can't you? I did, didn't I?" The redhead snapped. "And I am doing just fine at sea." She added with a pout.
"Katie…" Effy sighed as the girl brushed her hand away. "I'm sorry. I know it wasn't easy to…"
"I don't regret it." The still pouting girl grunted. "I love you…I just…"
"If you are worried about money we can go back to the cave. You know how to get through." The pirate suggested, choosing to avoid the more painful issue for the time being.
"I don't want that money." Katherine shook her head quickly.
The brunette peered at her through the darkness. "Why? Is it different than other money?" She asked, a hint of amusement edging her voice.
"Yes." The other girl shuddered.
The redhead remembered the last night the two crews had spent the night on the beach together; Captain Campbell had told the whole story of Pirate Stoat and how he had become Captain Fitch. Leaving the treasure behind had been Stoat's price to pay for the Fitch's Luck to take effect; in Katherine's mind giving up her family, her parents and brother at least, was her price to pay. She traced the outline of the ring her wife had given her and knew it made her a Stonem – it changed her life and her fate. She had talked to Emily about the treasure; her sister had laughed at her sudden belief in superstition. Maybe it was silly but Katie wanted her new life and that meant she wanted nothing to do with anything that could possibly jinx it.
"Ok." Effy whispered softly. "Then we can do whatever you want. You're right," she added a little shakily, "you paid you're part of this. I…I can do my part…" her voice tailed off.
"No." The redhead assured her. "We'll go to Bristol." She added as she brushed a strand of dark hair out of the other girl's face. "It'll be good. I will be able to see how they are…even if I can't…" her voice faltered for a moment. "Anyway, I have to meet the in-laws right?"
Captain Stonem let out a nervous laugh and pulled Katherine's hand up to kiss it softly before curling around the redhead to sleep.
The twins sipped tea in the now finished kitchen of the Campbell's home; Emily had excitedly shown her sister the entire house, including the room she had set aside and decorated for Katherine and Effy to stay in when they visited. Now they sat quietly at a small simple table and enjoyed their tea out of delicate cups that Naomi had found in the cupboards when the repairs to the manner had started.
"What?" Emily snapped when her sister began giggling.
Katherine set her cup down gently and gave her sister a weary look. "It's just funny. You hated this stuff before. Suddenly you are this smiling, glowing little housewife." She giggled again. "Don't give me that look, bitch, you know it's true."
"Fine." Her sister rasped. "While we are on the subject, housewife, this is exactly what you were always tell me to want because it would be so wonderful. Now you're pissing your pantalets with excitement at the idea of boarding enemy ships and forcing their crew to walk the plank."
"The world's gone topsy-turvy." Katie agreed before taking another sip of tea. "All right, seriously, can we ditch the tea for something a bit…stronger? We are celebrating right?"
Emily laughed and took her sister's cup to the counter and loudly uncorked a bottle. She returned to the table with both the cup and the rum and handed the glass over to her more dominant twin.
"That's more like it." The girl smiled as she took a sip.
"Mom would be so disappointed." Emily said without thinking.
Katherine froze for a second, a small gasp escaping her lips, then she quickly gulped down the rest of the contents of the cup.
"You're right." Katie broke the silence, her sister gave her an apologetic look. "She'd be pretty proud too…well…you know…if it weren't for…"
"Naomi being a woman." Emily sighed. "She knew. I think she always knew, that's why she hated me so much."
"Ems…" Her sister murmured. "She didn't…"
"I'm sorry." The softer twin apologized. "I shouldn't have..." she did her best to perk up her voice. "Show me the ring again."
"So…" Captain Stonem sighed as she leaned against a fence and watched as a few sheep grazed several yards off, "it's nice here. You're going to settle down then? I never would have known you liked this place at all. Last time we were here together you were so miserable about it."
It was true. When they had sailed to Emeline Isle before it had been an emergency; their ship was so badly damaged that there had been no other place to go and the blonde had reluctantly pointed to a blank spot of map and claimed there was an island there. At the time the brunette had thought her foul mood was due to their near death and loss of cargo but now she could see clearly. Even when things had been good between them, Naomi hadn't wanted to share this place with her; she didn't want to show the wild girl her dream because even when they had been good they had never been right.
Captain Campbell shrugged, not meeting the other girl's eyes, "So…" she sighed, "You're married now. I can't really imagine it…"
"I know." Effy beamed. "I couldn't either. They are something aren't they?"
Naomi couldn't help but smile. "They really are." She nodded.
"You shouldn't quit you know…you're good…" the brunette ventured, "possibly better than me…if that were possible that is."
The blonde rolled her eyes before giving the other captain another smile. "I never wanted it and you knew it. I suppose you'll want your ship back? You'll have to take that up with Cook when he gets here."
"Cookie can have it." Captain Stonem breezed. "I only wanted it back because you took it."
"Of course." Naomi chuckled. "Well I only took it because you loved it."
Shouts from the shore interrupted them; both captains instinctively scanning the ocean for a small messenger ship. It was most likely what Cook would have taken to meet them, a tiny vessel that would draw little attention and move quickly, but that was not what they saw. Both girls hurried back to the house silently; Katie and Emily were standing on the porch staring out at the large ship that was dropping anchor just off shore. Emily padded quickly down the stairs to meet Naomi, passing Effy on the stairs as she made her way to Katherine's side.
"It's not a Naval ship." Captain Campbell stated aloud.
"Well it's not nothing." Captain Stonem hissed nervously.
Katie reached into the brunette's jacket and pulled out their small telescope and peered through it.
"It's…dad…" Emily gasped.
"Worse." Her sister wailed as she watched the first longboat being lowered into the water. "It's mother."
Let me know what you think. It hasn't been edited but hopefully it was still readable. I will try not to take too long to get the next chapter done and posted.
